Thousands of Peruvians in pro-life march demand President ban abortion pill

Lima, Peru, Aug 17, 2004 / 12:00 am (CNA).- Thousands of Peruvians of all ages gathered in front of the country’s Palace of Justice to demand for the protection of human life from the moment of conception and that President Alejandro Toledo stop distribution of the morning after pill and ensure that the Peruvian Constitution is obeyed.

Families, students, professionals, and representatives of diverse civil groups marched in the streets of the capital, carrying banners, balloons, and signs referring to the defense of human life.

Several speakers shared their testimonies and spoke out against the misinformation, the distribution and commercialization of the morning after pill, as well as its inclusion in the public health policy of Peru.

Protest organizers denounced the efforts by Peru’s Health Minister, Pilar Mazzetti, to hide the pill’s abortifacient effect from the public. They added that the march is the beginning of a series of activities to defend the unborn, the constitutional right to life from conception to natural death, and to promote the family.

Protestors signed a statement that will be given to President Toledo, which among other things calls for the defense of all human rights and the suspension of the sale and distribution of the morning after pill.

Various pro-life groups in Peru, as well as international pro-life organizations such as Human Life International and the Population Research Institute, lent their support to the march.

Manipulation in the media

Although pictures of the march—published by some communications media—confirmed the participation of thousands of Peruvians, newspapers such as “El Comercio” and “Peru 21” downplayed the event.

“El Comercio” claimed that “some one thousand members of diverse organizations were convened by the United for Life National Coordinator to demand the prohibition of the morning after pill, which they consider to be abortifacient.”

In an even more blatant example of bias, “Peru 21”—which belongs to the same editorial group as “El Comercio”—reported that the march was attended by just 200 people. The newspaper is known for openly aligning itself with groups that promote the legalization of abortion and birth control.